Hurdles galore for agchems and GM crops in Europe

摘要

The year began with a report from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) identifying risks to bees from three neonicotinoid insecticides, clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam. That did not augur well for the agrochemical industry in the region. The European Commission resolved to put a two-year ban in place on the three active ingredients for seed treatment, soil application and foliar treatment on “bee-attractive” plants. It decided to go ahead with the decision in May despite failing to get a qualified majority vote from member states in voting in March and in April. Legislation was finally issued in June and the suspension came into effect starting December 1st.